Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-02-13
A CONYICI'S ROMANCE.

Refugee from Northern PRISON WEES
Fame aud Fortune in tie South
JEFFERsONyILLE, IND, Feb. IA
romance that has long been hidden has
just come to light. Thirty eight years
ago Calvin Lyons was o young mechanic
in Posey county, lad. He had but one
fault and that was excessive Indulgence
in irtoXicants. One night he quar-
relied with Il bosom friend with
whom he was drinking saloon,
snd shot him through the heart.
The young man was tried, convicted oS
manslaUghter, and sent south TO the
prison at Jeffersonvil;e for twenty one
years. He served two years. and one
cold night in March, 1850, ne resolved
t s.; escape or die. He had secretly made
tools, ami had thsm hidden in
his cell. Wien the great bell began
telling the hour 81 o'clock, ne com
menced the work of cutting hole in
the wall He worked industriOuSIv, and
soon had one cut through, and was IN the
corridor Here another wall three feet
thick confronted him. Moth nc daunted,
he welt TO work, and in couple of hours
had cut hole big enough to crawl
through. He then made the startling
discovery hat the hole was AT IeasU
forty feet from the ground. Willie he
was considering what mad best be
done, the guard came along and discov-
cred him. Before the latter could make
an ou;Cry, Lyons SprGpg upon him, and,
being powerful m.n, soon had the Off
cial insensible upon the floor. 1t required
but few minutes TO bind, gag and strip
the man Of his clothes, which Lyons hast
lily donred. Lyons then tore his bed
= ~
rope and lowered himself 10 the ground.
TIE steamer SuntioWer was anchored at
the falls, and being short of hands when
l.; ons volunteered to go to worl,, they
accepted his cffer. The boat left for
southern waters. The prison officials
searched high and low for him, but re
could not be found.
In the meantime the steamer SuDfiOwer
changed bands, AMI in two years Lyons
had become her captain. He saved money
and ran in the r. d river trade. One time
while ON visit to some new friends at
Deer Greek, Miss, he conceived the idea
OF bulldog = mammoth cOltln gin. Not
having enough money of his own, ne iu-
terested wealthy planter in his scheme,
and the gin wss built. Time brought
them prosperity, and dame F0. tune Smi cd
her sweetest upon them.
His partner had Q daughter, and she
and Lyons fell deeply in love. The latter
did not wish To wed the young lady witr--
Out first telling them Of his form life,
Of which, prior 10 this time. he mad been
UysteriOuly reticent. Ca ling the
young lady and her father into the ohce
one dsy, ne made & clean breast OF
the affair. At its conclusion he told
the father he was in love with his daugh-
ter. aud asked if he would give her to en-
escaped convict. The old man consid-
cred the matter, and finally gave his
consent. They were married and chill
dren grew up to bless their household
His wife's father died ard made over his
property to his son in-law, who was then
worth in the neghborhood of $4,000.
When the war broke out he Joined the
COME derate army TO battle for the south,
He made gallant soldier and won dis
tinCtiOn for himself on many q CORY field.
After peace again overspread the land be
resumed business and is now wealthy
and honCred resident of Deer Greek, His,
hair is silVered and his face IS wrinkle6,
but he IS still hale and hearty, and he has
nearly reached three score OF years.
Some eight or nine years ago a gentle
man passed through Deer Creek aud
stopped over night with Mr. Lyons. He
mentioned that he was from Jefferson
vile, and the host proceeded to tell him
mis- history.
care you not afraid to tell me this,
Mr.. Lyons?" said the gentleman
"No," said the host. "The people
here would't see me arrested and taken
back to prison, aud defy the officers to
try it."
The gentleman has since correspondent
regularly with his southern host, AID o
few days ago, for the first time, related
the incident. The hole Lyons cut
through the front of the prison is still
visible, although it has been patched,
and on the books is marked: "Cal-
vim Lyons escaped March, 1902 1t is
probable no attempt will be made to bring
him back, and that the man will spend
the few remaining days of his life in the
southern town in which his industry won
him fortune.